Richardson leaving Estes Park

Assistant town administrator moving to Commerce City

By John Cordsen

Trail-Gazette

Posted:
09/10/2013 09:26:33 AM MDT

Lowell Richardson

Lowell Richardson is going full circle. The veteran police officer is returning to police work in a community close to where his law enforcement career began over three decades ago. Richards is leaving his post as assistant Estes Park town administrator to become the new deputy chief for support services with the Commerce City Police Department. He started his career in nearby Brighton.

Richardson said it took a special opportunity such as the Commerce City position to get him to leave Estes Park.

"This is one of the few departments I would have left Estes Park for, this is a tremendous opportunity," said Richardson.

His last day on the job in Estes Park is Sept. 11. He starts his new position in Commerce City on Sept. 17.

"I am excited to have a law enforcement professional with a diverse background such as Lowell's join the Commerce City Police Department," said Commerce City Chief of Police Troy Smith. "His expertise in management, knowledge of municipal government and reputation as a problem-solver will be invaluable to a growing department such as ours."

Richardson's career in law enforcement began right out of high school when he joined the military and became a military police officer. He is looking forward to returning to law enforcement.

"Since I was 18 and became an MP, that's all I did until five years ago," he said.

He said he enjoyed his time in administration but was looking forward to the new challenges his move back to policing will provide.

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His 33-year civilian police career began as a patrol officer with the Brighton Police Department, where he worked his way through the ranks, serving as a watch commander/sergeant. He became the chief of police for Fruita, Colo. in 1998 before joining Estes Park in 2001. He served as chief until 2008 when he moved over into the assistant town administrator position.

Two things stand out during his tenure in Estes Park, both with the police department. One is the community policing program that was put in place in 2005. This garnered the Estes Park Police Department national attention and recognition from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.. The second is the Restorative Justice program.

"Lowell has been in integral and valuable member of our leadership team, he will be missed," said Estes Park town administrator Frank Lancaster.

There are no immediate plans to fill the position though, as the town administration is going to take the opportunity to rethink the position and possibly change its description to better fit the needs of the community.

"We are not in a rush," said Estes Park public information officer Kate Rusch. "We are going to look at the needs of the community and what this position should look like."